so the ride is Oct 23 & 24th? Starting in Brownsville? As long as there is a good beer stop this sounds like fun

__________________
When you're lost in the wild and scared as a child. And death looks you bang in the eye, and your sore as a boil, its according to Hoyle to cock your revolver... and die. But the code of a man says "fight all you can" and self-dissolution is barred. In hunger and woe, its easy to blow... Its the hell-served-for-breakfast thats hard........Robert Service

Went down to Ozzies June, 09 with some riding buddies and one of them (with a GPS) suggested we take the "scenic" route back to Redding via Cohasset and Ponderosa Way to 36 (I think it was) I was on my 1150 GS Adv, another guy on a 1150 GS, a F650GS, and a BMW 800 ST . Left Chico about 3pm. After hitting a snowfield that we couldn't get past we decided to turn back. Only two that didn't drop bikes were me and the other 1150GS. Went back to Chico and took the 5. Got home just after 4am. Ponderosa Way north of Cohasset is not for big bikes like the GS. KTM 530/DRZ/650L yes. The guy on the 800 ST had to replace both sides of plastic. The F650 had to replace levers, shifter, plastic, turn stalks.

I've been out Ponderosa way many times. There are trails that lead to Butte Meadows that I'm told are not big bike friendly but take less than a hour!

As far as heading to Red Bluff, the area can be uncanny hot in the summer when it is big bike friendly if you leave early in the a.m. No doubt the steep rocky fire roads would test a novice riders skill. And any rain whatsoever can turn the clay parts to slick, slick, mud. There are few riders of dual sports that have the skill to ride wheelies across any sort of snow banks. When I tried to develop that skill on a 650 Dakar I discovered that in warmer weather 200 ft banks of snow are actually slippery rough ice. And it's very difficult to lift a big bike on ice!

I have Ponderosa Way on my return route to Brownsville. I have not been on Ponderosa Way. That was the last section I was going to pre-ride. Can you tell me what to expect? Is it big bike friendly? Will save me a trip up.

LaPorte

Sorry LaPorte been gone for a while. The ride from Cohasset to highway 32 is big bike friendly. I have done it many times on a GS and a KTM 950 Adv. The first few miles from the Cohasset end are the roughest. Lots of rocks. Just take it slow. After you cross Deer Creek and start climbing out of the canyon it is great. Hope that helps.
cycleman4

Sorry LaPorte been gone for a while. The ride from Cohasset to highway 32 is big bike friendly. I have done it many times on a GS and a KTM 950 Adv. The first few miles from the Cohasset end are the roughest. Lots of rocks. Just take it slow. After you cross Deer Creek and start climbing out of the canyon it is great. Hope that helps.
cycleman4

I now see the confusion. I saw your Ponderosa Way off of Hwy 32 and to further confuse the issue it is off of Forest Ranch Rd.
The section of Ponderosa Way I am talking about is Off of Foresthill Rd. not Forest Ranch Rd. Although it looks like it may be a fun ride up there as well.
Didn't know that there was as many Ponderosa Way Rd's

Two week ago my buddy Dave and I did a fun little ride. We rode from Chico to Truckee via hwy 162.
The next morning after a few of these it was tough to get going.
After riding the trails and train tracks west of Donner Lake for 4 hours we needed a break and slabbed it up to Soda Springs for lunch. From there we took a dirt road to Auburn. Not sure the name but it was quite an adventure.
By the way this is my buddy Dave in his new riding gear.

Here are a few more pics of the trip.Dave got a flat. 2hrs stop!!
Great ride but a long day. Slabbed back to chico via grass valley from Auburn.

Went down to Ozzies June, 09 with some riding buddies and one of them (with a GPS) suggested we take the "scenic" route back to Redding via Cohasset and Ponderosa Way to 36 (I think it was) I was on my 1150 GS Adv, another guy on a 1150 GS, a F650GS, and a BMW 800 ST . Left Chico about 3pm. After hitting a snowfield that we couldn't get past we decided to turn back. Only two that didn't drop bikes were me and the other 1150GS. Went back to Chico and took the 5. Got home just after 4am. Ponderosa Way north of Cohasset is not for big bikes like the GS. KTM 530/DRZ/650L yes. The guy on the 800 ST had to replace both sides of plastic. The F650 had to replace levers, shifter, plastic, turn stalks.

Most of that road is doable at 45-55 mph on my DRZe,it likes big sharp rocks and deep ruts full of silt. We saw a 400 lb(at least) bear way above Cohassett on the way to hiway 32,we were turned back by 6 ft snow banks where the grader had quit.

How about Chico to laytonville Via Paskenta and Covelo. Never done it but seems like a good ride. 136 mi each way. Not sure how much is dirt from paskenta to Laytonville. Anyone know?

Ive done it,theres a rt turn rt out of Covelo that hooks left onto a dirt road that comes rt out in Laytonville. 2 miles south of Laytonville theres a rt onto a dirt road that supposedly comes out in ft bragg,I havent tried that one yet.
Theres also Zenia rd that goes out of Covelo and ties in to various other roads and can go to hiway 36 at Mad River or veer off in another direction and come out in Garberville. Lots of possibilitys out that way.
I also rode a 400 mile dualsport ride this summer from Wildwood on hiway 36 to Fortuna and back again,80% on dirt roads and all on back roads.
Pretty fun and saw some great back country.

Sorry LaPorte been gone for a while. The ride from Cohasset to highway 32 is big bike friendly. I have done it many times on a GS and a KTM 950 Adv. The first few miles from the Cohasset end are the roughest. Lots of rocks. Just take it slow. After you cross Deer Creek and start climbing out of the canyon it is great. Hope that helps.

This first part of Cohasset needs the gas! I started into it and just had t gas it and stand on the pegs. Let the bike do its thing and made it right through.

__________________
When you're lost in the wild and scared as a child. And death looks you bang in the eye, and your sore as a boil, its according to Hoyle to cock your revolver... and die. But the code of a man says "fight all you can" and self-dissolution is barred. In hunger and woe, its easy to blow... Its the hell-served-for-breakfast thats hard........Robert Service

I have talked with the county folks. The work may be done by the 22nd they weren't sure. On their web page it said open on Oct 22nd and the sign said Oct 31st. According to the guy in charge, they have found more damage with the bridge than they had anticiapated. I am going to call them next week and see what the opening date will be.

The ride from Brownsville to Placerville is postponed due to the rain this week end. I had changed the over night stay from Placerville to Auburn so I could ride the Donner Train Tunnels with the group from Modesto. They were to pick up a second group of riders in Auburn.

So now it looks like the 28th and 29th will be nice weather and I bet you, there woun't be any dust.

The ride from Brownsville to Placerville is postponed due to the rain this week end. I had changed the over night stay from Placerville to Auburn so I could ride the Donner Train Tunnels with the group from Modesto. They were to pick up a second group of riders in Auburn.

So now it looks like the 28th and 29th will be nice weather and I bet you, there woun't be any dust.

LaPorte

Dang! That sounds like fun,Ive got a family commitment this weekend though. Ive also just found a deal on a 08 KTM 200 EXC-W,Ive got to get it out and blast it around soon.